— 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 —
⁰⁰¹

London in the 1920's was the place to be. The clubs were always busy and the atmosphere was astonishing. So that's why Cecilia Abbott worked down at Esmerelda's bar in the busiest part of London. She adored it, truly. But if it was the attention the club brought her or the atmosphere that she adored — there was no guessing.

Cecilia Abbott had looks that would make you look twice at her in the street. The type of face people would write love songs about.

The type of face that made you realise what you had gotten yourself into when she had a gun pointed to your throat.

She was far more than what she seemed. Cecilia Abbott, the daughter of Rafael Abbott — the man who would lurk in the darkness and send his men to storm through your house when you hadn't completed a payment. He was a dangerous man with a daughter who could give him a run for his money. They were both forces to be reckoned with.

Except you wouldn't expect it from Cecilia. No, not at all. She had the face of an angel as her father used to tell her. And that was the best part. You'd think you had gotten lucky when she held your hand loosely and led you through the dark streets of London with a light grin on her lips. That was until she had a gun in her hand and you were on your knees.

Cecilia was a performer by day and a gangster by night.

The Abbott family was originally from Boston meaning they had an accent. Cecilia not so much — mainly her father. But every once in a while her accent would come through.

When Cecilia landed herself a job at Esmerelda's bar, her father wasn't too happy as it was located just on the outskirts of Sabini's territory. And the problem with that was if any problems were to arise between Rafael and Sabini, Cecilia would be their first target.

Cecilia wasn't worried about that though. Not one bit. Men didn't scare her, they amused her.

—

Cecilia stood before the gold-framed mirror and carefully placed her earrings into her ears. "You workin' tonight?" Rafael entered the room with a cigar balanced between his lips.

She hummed and took her red lipstick, gently painting it across her lips.

"You're home before the clock strikes two, you hear me?" He said, his accent thick. Cecilia rolled her eyes and gave herself a once over in the mirror. "Same shit, new night— I swear ya think i'm an idiot." She responded, her accent peeking through.

Rafael took his cigar from between his lips and turned to look at her as he stood by the window. "Watch ya tone."

She scoffed and picked her cigarette up from the ashtray to place back in her mouth. "Tonight's just a normal night, no? I ain't killing nobody's husband am I?" She asked.

He looked out of the window and thought for a moment. "Tonight's a normal night."

She nodded and finally put out her cigarette. "Have you heard anything from Reggie?" Cecilia referred to her elder brother who ran everything in Boston. Rafael shook his head. "Last I heard was from ya mother last Tuesday." He said. Cecilia twisted her lips together. "Is that woman still breathing?"

Rafael gave his daughter a stern look but she didn't take him on. It was no secret Cecilia did not care for her mother. Why should she? Her mother had never cared for Cecilia — hence why Cecilia was in London with their father instead of Reggie.

"I need to leave. I'll see you later, Da." She leaned up and pecked him on the cheek. Rafael watched her leave the house and his eyes diverted back to the window as she walked across the street.

Her hair bounced as she walked, the curls falling perfectly into place each time. She didn't look when she crossed the road. She didn't move out the way for anybody who passed her.

Cecilia had made it to Esmerelda's and the moment she stepped inside, she was met with the same face of the doorman. He nodded to her and smiled. "Miss Abbott." He said politely, taking her coat from her.

"Evening." She responded and quickly moved on to the bar where she'd find the closest man she had to a friend.

"Cecilia—" Peter dragged out her name and smiled widely. She playfully rolled her eyes and picked up a glass to pour a whiskey. "You can't drink that. You're working." He teased and leaned against the wall.

Cecilia slowly looked up at him. "What're you gonna do— you gonna fire me?" She asked with a serious face.

Peter's grin grew wider and he stifled a laugh. "Could never fire you, Cecilia." He winked. She threw back the whiskey and took a deep breath.

The club was lively as always. People were dancing like mad men and having a good time. Cecilia on the other hand stood observing everybody who stood in that club. She never did much when she first started a shift. She felt it was much better to examine the people she'd be putting a show on for.

"You're up." Peter tapped her back and she cleared her throat. Cecilia walked from the bar and to the small stage where the band stood.

"The Blinders are in London—" She heard one of the others exclaim to Peter as she left. She quirked up an eyebrow and continued walking. The Blinders as in The Peaky Blinders. They were the Royals of Small Heath. She'd heard of them plenty of times.

She stepped up onto the stage between two of the other Show Girls and stood straight. The band began playing another song and, as always, the three girls danced along in unison. Their golden dresses hugged them perfectly. If you weren't dancing, you'd be looking at one of them.

It wasn't long until the doors opened again. Cecilia watched Peter emerge from behind the bar to meet the three men that had walked in, hands in pockets and chins up. Peter exchanged some small conversation with them before leading them to a booth to sit in.

Once they were seated, all three of them removed the caps that sat atop their heads and looked around.

She grinned to herself and continued dancing.

Once the song came to an end, Cecilia was quick to step from the stage and make her way over to who she assumed to be Peaky Blinders. "Anything I can get for you gentlemen?" She asked. They looked up at her. "A bottle of whiskey and three glasses." The one opposite her instructed.

He stared at her with ice blue eyes whilst he spoke, not an ounce of emotion in his voice.

Cecilia looked him up and down quickly. "You ain't got manners, no?" She tested.

He chuckled and looked to the boys beside him. "Manners." The other one said with a smile. He had a tinge of ginger in his hair and an older face. "Did she say manners, John boy?" He said again.

The one he had spoke to shrugged and looked down laughing whilst shaking his head. "Dunno, Artha." He said.

Cecilia chewed down on her tongue and crossed her arms. "I think you'll find this is the best bar to be drinking whiskey in so if you do want your bottle, i'd suggest you stop acting like little boys." Her accent particularly thick as she grew angry.

The one she had spoke to first whistled. "Settle down, brothers." He turned his gaze back to the girl. "A bottle of whiskey and three glasses." He repeated. She raised her eyebrows. "Please." He added.

She nodded once and spun on her heels. She could hear their light whispers as she walked off and it only made her smirk. "Peter— whiskey." She pointed and swiped three clean glasses from the counter.

He put the bottle in her hand and within seconds Cecilia was back at the table she had just left.

"What's ya name?" The blue-eyed man questioned. Cecilia placed the glasses before them and poured the whiskey half way into each. "Cecilia." She answered simply. He hummed and looked at her intently. "Cecilia." He said quietly.

John and Arthur had swiped their glasses and began drinking, soon refilling them.

"And yours, sir?" She looked to him.

"Tommy." He said. She looked at him for a moment. "Tommy—"

"Shelby." She cut him off. "You're the Shelby brothers?" She said to herself. "Indeed we are." Tommy grinned.

"And how are you aware of us?" Arthur sipped his whiskey. "You'd be surprised, Mr Shelby." Cecilia told him. "I know everything."

"Do you now?" Tommy tormented.

"Do you doubt me?" She retorted. Tommy pursed his lips together and shook his head. "No, never." He assured her. She tilted her head.

"You're not from here." Tommy filled his glass as she turned away. "You're right. I'm not." Cecilia responded bluntly as she wasn't too interested in making conversation with them any longer.

"Where are ya from, sweetheart?" Arthur shouted after her.

She rolled her eyes and continued walking. "You ask too many questions, Mr Shelby. Questions land you in trouble." She said loud enough for them to hear.

That night, Cecilia remained behind the bar and kept watchful eyes on the Shelby brothers. The three were infamous for their crime and careless acts. It intrigued her. A few hours had passed and they were still sipping their whiskey.

That was until Tommy decided to return the empty bottle. He dug into his pocket and slid over a ten pound note. "For the whiskey."

Cecilia took it with no hesitation and tucked it into her garter that sat high on her leg. "Thank you, Mr Shelby." She said simply and turned away to continue doing what she was doing. Tommy watched her and remained where he stood. "How did you know who we were?"

"Everyone knows who you are." She said sharply.

Tommy's face didn't change. "Everybody knows the name— I wasn't aware that everybody knew the face too." He said. Cecilia shrugged. "Well, Mr Shelby—"

"Please—" He raised a hand to stop her, "Call me Tommy." He said cockily.

"Well, Thomas—" She met his eyes, "You may know my name but not my face." She said lowly. He tilted his head slightly in amusement. "The name Cecilia doesn't ring a bell i'm afraid." He said truthfully with a sigh.

"How about the name Abbott?" She offered.

His eyebrows moved ever so slightly and she bit back her grin. "I'm sure you're aware of my father and what business he has here in London." She added. "And in America— and Italy."

Tommy nodded once. "Indeed. Your father is an intriguing man."

"I could say the same about yourself." She replied. Tommy took out a box of cigarettes and placed one between his lips. "Can I smoke?"

Cecilia nodded and placed two hands on the bar in front of her so she was facing him. He pointed the box toward her and she took one, too placing it between her lips. Tommy lit it for her and she inhaled quickly.

"What brings you to London, Thomas?" She asked, taking away the cigarette and looked at the way her lipstick stained the paper.

Tommy kissed his teeth. "Business, Cecilia. Business."

"Your brothers— you're quite different to them." She changed the subject.

This was something Cecilia did often— more so with the men she'd lead away into the night to kill. She'd carefully pick apart whoever it was and she'd do it good.

"In what way?"

"Arthur is loud and— unaware." She began. "John keeps his mouth shut and lets everyone do the talking for him. He's the youngest of the three, no?"

"He is."

"That would make Arthur the eldest and you the.. other one." She teased with a careless shrug.

Tommy let out a breathy laugh. "The other one." He muttered mockingly.

"You're the boss." She continued. "Arthur and John are your toy soldiers." She pushed. Tommy listened to her intently. "You're quiet because you know your enemies— you know that there are eyes and ears everywhere you turn. Especially in London." Her words were coming out quicker than he could comprehend.

"Are you an enemy, Cecilia?" He accused. She crossed her arms over her chest. Suddenly, Tommy took her chin between his thumb and finger and pulled her closed. "Because only somebody as stupid as an enemy would be asking this many questions." He hissed.

"I think you'll find they were statements rather than questions." She wrapped a tight hand around his wrist and inhaled quickly. "You have mere seconds to let go of me."

"Or what?" He said through gritted teeth.

"Or i'll let your brothers watch the blood pour from your head." She bit back. Tommy stared her in the eye for a few moments before loosening his grip. He finally let go and pulled back his hand.

"The next time you stick your nose in my business—"

"There will not be a next time, Mr Shelby." She stopped him. "Goodnight." Cecilia spun on her feet and walked off toward the door, her heels clicking as she did so.

Tommy's eyes lingered on her frame as the doorman helped her into her coat. She took one last look at him before disappearing into the night. His eyes remained on the door and he let out a breath.

"Cecilia fucking Abbott.."

After Midnight
Chapter 001
[gracessecretshelby]

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